Saudi Festival at University of Scranton deepens understanding

Joseph Kohut / Staff Photo
A participant receives a henna tattoo during Saturday's Saudi Festival at the University of Scranton. In addition to henna tattoos, the festival featured Saudi Arabian food and ethnic entertainment at the university's Founder's Green.

For Ali Alsagoor, Saturday's Saudi Festival at the University of Scranton was a give and take.

When Mr. Alsagoor came to the United States from Saudi Arabia in 2006 at age 18 to pursue a degree in marketing at Wilkes University, it was his first time traveling abroad and immersing himself in another culture.

"It was a different culture than my culture," Mr. Alsagoor said. "Even the food was different."

Still, he learned quickly, and on Saturday he wanted to share his culture with the university and community he has spent the last six years getting to know.

Saturday's festival brought dozens to the Founder's Green to sample traditional Saudi Arabian food, listen to ethnic music and even get traditional henna tattoos.

Alaa Almehmadi, 28, came to the U.S. in 2010 from Saudi Arabia to pursue an MBA. In the time he's been here, he has noticed that some people here have misconceptions of Saudi culture.

"A lot of people think Saudi people still ride camels," Mr. Almehmadi said with a laugh. "It's great to show other people our culture."

He plans to return to Saudi Arabia after achieving his degree and work as a professor, teaching business and marketing.

Yaquolo AlJumaan spent the afternoon showing interested festival-goers what their name looks like when written in Arabic. He was not surprised that his stand was busy.

"I think people are fascinated with the Arabic language," He said while handing cards out containing an overview on the ancient language.

While visiting friends in the area, Remi Kawaryu, teaching assistant at Lincoln University and native of Japan, said her knowledge of Saudi culture had definitely "deepened."

"I did not know they are so open-minded," Ms. Kawaryu said. "Very good people."

Contact the writer: jkohut@timesshamrock.com, @jkohutTT on Twitter

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